During the BCFR Board meeting in November, the board voted to withdraw from membership with the American Committees on Foreign Relations (ACFR).
The BCFR was one of the founding members of ACFR, some 30 years ago. The ACFR has been the primary source of speakers for the BCFR, but over the years the ACFR has gradually declined in the quality and quantity of speakers.
This past year, ACFR has provided less than a third of our speakers, but is still receiving nearly half of our annual dues fees. The cost of being an ACFR member is no longer helpful to the BCFR. We are in conversation with ACFR, and BCFR will consider some level of ongoing relationship with ACFR.
BCFR is in conversation with other past ACFR committees, and will interface with them to help share speakers and online events. Also, with our membership connections with the University of Idaho - McClure Center and the Boise State University - Frank Church Institute, we will continue our nearly 80 years of high quality speakers for future meetings.